Max resolution
The maximum resolution of the image to be printed. It is usually indicated by two numbers indicating the number of dots per inch (dpi) horizontally and vertically, for example 1200x600. The detail of the image depends on this parameter – the higher the resolution, the more fine details the printer is able to convey and the better their image will be. High print resolution is important, foremost, operating with graphic material; low resolution is sufficient for high-quality text display. So there are the following options:
600x600,
1200x600,
1200x1200,
1800x600,
2400x600,
2400x1200,
2400x2400,
4800x600,
4800x1200,
4800x2400,
5760, and
higher print resolutions.
Black Ink Page Yield
Approximate number of pages that the MFP can print in black and white mode without replacing the cartridge. In fact, this greatly depends on the specs of the images to print, so the actual resource may greatly differ from the claimed one in one way or another. Nevertheless, according to this indicator, it is quite possible to evaluate the capabilities of the MFP and compare it with other models.
Cartridge model
Types of cartridges (both black&white and colour) used in the MFP. Some models of the MFP are able to work with third-party cartridges, but this feature usually refers to undocumented, and the manufacturer's warranty applies only to specific types of cartridges. So, use third-party compatible cartridge models with caution.
Display
The type of display provided in the design of the MFP. This parameter is indicated by two points — colour (monochrome or
colour display), as well as the availability of a
touch screen(if only spec 'coloured' is indicated, then the display is non-touch).
Chroma determines the features of the image on the display. Monochrome (black and white) displays allow you to show a lot of different information, and are inexpensive. On the other hand, such a display is poorly suited for viewing drawings and photos sent for printing, the results of scanning pictures, etc. — for such purposes it is better to use more expensive, but more functional colour displays.
As for touch displays, they provide additional convenience in management and expand its capabilities. Various controls can be displayed on such a display — sliders, lists, text menus, etc.; operating them with touches on the display is easier than using traditional control panels with hardware buttons. On the other hand, the presence of a sensor affects the cost of the display, and it makes sense to use this feature mainly in advanced MFPs with an abundance of additional functions.
Grammage (max)
The maximum grammage that the MFP can print on. The grammage of the paper depends primarily on its thickness; thick paper is strong, but if it is thicker than allowed by MFP's manufacturer, the paper feeder simply cannot handle such sheets.
RAM
The amount of built-in memory provided in the MFP.
This parameter determines not only the amount of information that can be simultaneously stored in the device, but also the specifics of memory usage. With relatively small volumes of the built-in storage (up to 400 – 500 MB), it is mainly used to store print tasks and scan results — until the tasks are completed and digital copies of documents are transferred to their destination. Among high-end MFPs, there are modules, which volume is already calculated in gigabytes. Usually, the presence of this amount of internal memory means that the device has an extensive set of built-in tools, including the ability to use it as a temporary storage for document files.
CPU frequency
The clock speed of the processor installed in the MFP. Theoretically, the higher this indicator, the faster the device is able to handle with various tasks; high performance is especially important when printing high quality images, scanning at high resolutions, etc. However, in fact, the capabilities of the MFP, in addition to the processor, depend on a number of other specs, and this point is more for reference than practically significant, and when choosing, it is worth focus on more obvious performance specs (copy speed, print speed, etc.).
Scan resolution
The maximum resolution of the MFP scanner. It is usually indicated by two numbers indicating the number of dots per inch (dpi) horizontally and vertically, for example 1200x2400. The higher the resolution, the more dots the scanned image consists of and the smoother the lines on the digitalized copy and the better the fine details it displays. There are the following common resolutions:
600x600,
600x1200,
600x2400,
1200x1200,
1200x2400,
2400x4800,
4800x4800 and even more.
Scanner Colour Depth
The colour depth supported by the MFP scanner. This setting determines the number of colour shades that the device can recognize. Therefore, the overall quality of the scan directly depends on it (although other features of the device also affect this quality).
Of course, it makes sense to be focused primarily in colour depth if you plan to intensively use the scanner for full-colour images like photos, paintings, etc. If the MFP is purchased mainly for documents, where the maximum variety of colours is the logo on the letterhead or the stamp, it barely makes sense to pay special attention to this spec.
As for the colour depth, we note that the total number of recognizable shades can be determined using the formula “two to the power of the number of bits”. For example, a 24-bit scanner will recognize 2^24 = 16.7 million colours (approximately). This value is considered quite sufficient for everyday use, and 36-bit is also sufficient for relatively simple work tasks such as printing brochures and other images that do not require high colour fidelity. But for professional work with colour, you should choose more impressive scanners; in the most advanced models, the colour depth can reach 60 bits.
